Accessory for garment finishing tables



April 1939- J. w. STEELE ACCESSORY FOR GARMENT FINISHING TABLES Filed Aug. 12, 1935 INVENTOR; JMS/e e/e,

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 11, 1939 PATENT OFFICE ACCESSORY FOR GARMENT FINISHING TABLES 7 James W. Steele, Kansas City, Mo.

Application August 12,

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to garment ironing and finishing equipment, and aims to provide convenient and efiicient means for the proper holding of the garment on the ironing or finishing board and thereby facilitating the work of the operator in carrying out the ironing or finishing operation.

It is also sought to provide such an accessory means for ironing boards which will not only 10 hold the garment in its most effective position "for enabling the operator to manipulate the garment properly in the work of finishing the same, but which will also function to impart the most natural and desirable shape to the collar or neckband of a garment, such as a shirt, while carrying out such ironing and finishing operations.

Accordingly I provide a device in the form of clamping means for clamping the collar or neckbandof such garments in the most effective manner for shaping that portion of it while holding it so that the rest of the garment may be conveniently and accurately manipulated as required in the work of ironing and finishing. The design of the device is such as to render its operation for the clamping function most convenient, and also to make its unclamping action to a certain degree automatic, in addition to which automatic means is provided for latching the clamping means in operative or clamping position. Moreover it is contemplated that suitable heating means may be included as a part of the construction, for certain requirements.

With the foregoing general objects in view, the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawing showing a practical and eflicient form of construction for embodying the proposed improvements, after which those features and combinations deemed to be novel and patentable will be particularly set forth and claimed. I

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a construction embodying the present improvements, and in operative relation to the collar portion of a shirt;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device (on a somewhat smaller scale);

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device, in partly vertical section;

Figure 4 is a similar view (on a larger scale) representing a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and showing one of the clamping members raised into inoperative position; and

Figure 5 is an elevation of the parts shown in 5 Figure 1, with a portion of one of the clamping 1935, Serial No. 35,713

(Cl. 3s 11o members broken away to show the heater structure.

In the work of ironing and finishing garments, as in shirt factories and. in laundries, it is necessary to hold the shirt in a more or less definite position, for straightening it out along the finishing lines, which may be done by means which engages the shirt at its collar, neckband or yoke portion and holds it while the operator proceeds to iron it and makes such manipulations (as straightening and folding) as are necessary on the ironing board or table during the finishing operation. The means which have heretofore been used for holding the shirt during this operation have at times included a forming or shaping means for the collar or neckband portion of the shirt. The action of such devices has, however, shown a tendency to distort that portion of the shirt, leaving it in a shape that is practically straight and upright at the rear of the collar or neckband and also practically round throughout the remainder of the collar or neckband outlines. This is not a natural shape for this part of the shirt, as the proper and natural shape is more on the order of a heart-shaped outline with the rear portion of the collar or neckband slightly inclined rather than strictly upright with reference to the body of the garment as it lies on the ironing board. Quite often, too, the prevailing methods tend to stretch the neckband portion of a collar too much so that it is sometimes even longer than the outside flap or fold of the collar, resulting in a bulging of its rear portion when the collar is turned or folded down upon this inner over-stretched portion of the neckband. These results are objectionable mainly for the reason that they interfere with the comfort of the wearer as well as with the appearance of the shirt after it is finished, for the front of the collar has a tendency to hike up under the chin, besides which the shirt shows an unsightly fullness below the collar where it is exposed above the vest.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a holding as well as shaping means for the collar or neckband which will overcome these defects in the present practice. Accordingly I have devised a construction as shown by the accompanying'drawing, which comprises a collar or neckband clamping member in the form of a block l0 which is adapted to be mounted upon the margin of a garment ironing or finishing board or table I2, and secured thereto by means of suitable bolts [4, with spacers l5 adapted to bring said clamping member III on a level with the top-of the pad l6 carried by said table I2.

The clamping member ID is provided with a forwardly sloping face [1, i. e., forming an obtuse angle with the ironing surface at the front of said face I1 and of a suitable length for embracing the exterior rear face of the collar (or neckband) portion I8 of a garment, such as a shirt 2!]. For embracing the interior face of the rear portion of the collar or neckband, its clamping face sloping similarly to the face I! of the clamping member l0 and also a movable clamping member 22 is provided, having lugs 23 for pivotally mounting said member 22 upon a bolt or' pin 24 carried by lugs 25 formed as a part of the block l0. Preferably a coil spring 26 is mounted on the pin 24 and so arranged as to actuate the clamping member 22 normally into raised or inoperative position, as represented in Figure 4.

To the outer face of said member 22 is attached, as by means of suitable screws 21, a heating device comprising a housing 28 enclosing a block 30 of suitable refractory material provided with electric heating coils 32 having the feed wires 33 as represented in Figures 1 and 5.

The clamping member is, in the illustration -shown, of L-shape, having the angular portion 22" fitted with a suitable knob 33 (which may be heat-insulated) for the convenience of the operator in manipulating the device.

For latching the member 22 in its lowered position for clamping purposes, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, a latching device is carried by the block l0, being formed with an arm 35 and a shank portion 36 provided with a coil spring 31 and housed in a recess 38 in said block; this spring 31 is so arranged as normally to actuate said latching device in such a manner as to bring the arm 35 into the latching position shown in Figures 1 to 3,-i. e., in engagement with the upper face of said angular portion 22' of the clamping member 22'. The arm 35 is provided with a suitable knob and the upper face of the portion 22" of member 22 is preferably formed with a cam contour as indicated at 22" for producing an effective clamping action between the face H of the block ll! and the rear face of the clamping member 22.

The operator, in using the improved construction, places a shirt upon the pad it of the ironing board or table l2, with the collar or neckband portion turned up against the face I! of the block l0,the clamping member 22 being in raised or out of clamping position as illustrated in Figure 4. The member 22 is then turned into the operative or clamping position shown in Figure 3, for which purpose the operator merely grasps the knob 34 and swings said member 22 down (about the axis of its pivot pin 25) This operation is followed by automatic latching of the parts in the position illustrated in Figure 3, due to the action of the spring 31 forcing the latch arm 35 around into latching position,thereby holding the clamping elements in securely clamped relation to the neckband or collar folds H3. The operator can now proceed with the ironing and finishing operation, straightening out the lines of the shirt,

which work can be carried out with relatively fewer movements with the shirt firmly held in the manner described. While thus holding the shirt for the finishing process, the clamping parts serve to shape the neckband or collar not only to an approximately heart-shaped contour as shown in Figures 1 and 2 but also give the proper sloping effect to the rear portion of said collar or neckband as required for giving it its most natural slant relative to the yoke portion of the garment,

or in conformity to the way in which the same is both made and designed to be worn.

The provision of the heating device is of advantage in some operations in not only promoting the work of ironing and finishing but also in preserving the uniformity of the collar shape so that there will be no noticeable buckling or bulging of any portion of the collar around the neckband.

After the operation is completed, the operator simply swings the latch member 35 around to inoperative position, whereupon the movable clamping member 22 automatically springs up into its raised or inoperative position, due to the action of the spring 27, as above described.

By providing a clamping means of the character described, for holding the neckband or collar portion of the shirt,-thus providing an anchorage against which the operator can draw and pull the shirt along the proper lines as required forthe finishing operation, this renders it possible to standardize the operations for the ironing and finishing work, and also makes it possible to reduce the number of movements necessary for carrying out such work to the very minimum. Moreover, the positioning of the shirt as described and keeping its collar or neckband portion fixed in one position for this work prevents the formation of Wrinkles such as are usually produced by allowing the garment too much play upon the finishing table. Again, it will be apparent that the device can be mounted and used upon any type of finishing table, and where the operations are carried out with the shirt held securely in one position upon the ironing or finishing table, it will be seen that a smaller table or ironing board surface is required, which is of great advantage in enabling the manufacturer or laundry operator to economize as regards fioor space to be provided for such apparatus.

It will therefore be apparent that I have devised a practical and useful accessory for garment ironing and finishing apparatus, and While I have illustrated and described what I have found to represent one satisfactory form of embodiment of the improved features, I desire to reserve the right to all changes or modifications which may fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters- Patent is:

1. An attachment for ironing board for the finishing of shirts and like garments comprising, a clamping member in fixed relation to the upper face of the ironing board, a second clamping member mounted in movable relation to said first clamping member and in position for clamping the rear portion of the collar or neckband of the garment against said first clamping member and in angular relation to said upper face of the board, and heating means carried by one of said clamping members in direct heating relation to its garment engaging surface.

2. An attachment for ironing boards for the finishing of shirts and like garments comprising, a clamping member mounted in fixed relation to the upper face of the ironing board in position for pressing engagement with the rear outer face of the collar or neckband portion of the garment, a movable clamping member hingedly connected with the upper portion of said first clamping member in position for pressing engagement with the rear inner face of said collar or neckband portion and operative to clamp said portion of the garment between said members, said clamping members having cooperative garmentpressing and finishing faces coextensive with the major portions of said rear inner and outer faces of the collar or neckband, means tending to hold said movable member normally in raised position 7 above and outside the collar portion of the garment, and automatically acting means operative on lowering of said movable clamping member to latch the same in operative or clamping position.

I 10 3. A device of the character described comprising, in combination with the top portion of an ironing board or finishing table, a clamping member in fixed relation to the upper face of said top portion of the board or table, a movable clamping member operative to clamp the collar or neckband of a garment against the clamping face of said first clamping member, and heating means carried by one of said members in direct heating relation to its garment-engaging surface.

4. An attachment for ironing boards for the 'finishingof shirts and like garments comprising,

a clamping member in fixed relation to the upper' face of the ironing board in position for pressing engagement with the rear outer face of the collar or neckband portion of the garment, a

movable clamping member in position for pressing engagement with the rear inner face of said collar or neckband portion and operative to clamp said portion of the garment against said go first clamping member, said clamping members having cooperative garment pressing and finishing faces coextensive with the major portions of said rear inner and outer faces of the collar or neckband, said movable member being formed 35 with an exterior portion of cam contour, and a latch member movable into position to effect latching engagement with said exterior cam portion of the movable member on operation of the latter into garment-clamping position.

5. An attachment for ironing boards for the finishing of shirts and like garments comprising,

collar or neckband portion and operative to clamp said portion of the garment against said first clamping member, said clamping members having cooperative garment pressing and finishing faces coextensive with the major portions of said rear inner and outer faces of the collar or neckband, said movable member being formed with an exterior portion of cam contour, and means acting automatically as said movable member is operated into garment-clamping position to effect latching engagement with said exterior cam portion of the movable member.

6. An attachment for ironing boards for the finishing of shirts and like garments comprising, a clamping member in fixed relation to the upper face of the ironing board in position for pressing engagement with the rear outer face of the collar or neckband portion of the garment, a movable clamping member in position for pressing engagement vnth the rear inner face of said collar or neckband portion and operative to clamp said portion of the garment against said first clamping member, said clamping members having cooperative garment pressing and finishing faces coextensive with the major portions of said rear inner and outer faces of the collar or neckband, said movable member having an exterior face of cam contour, and a spring actuated latch arm operating automatically, as said movable clamping member moves into garment-clamping position, to effect latching engagement with said exterior cam face of the movable member.

JAMES W. STEELE. 

